Tension mechanism for braiding machines



F. KLElN TENSION MEGHANISM FOR BRAIDING MACHINES Filed Aug. 3o,v 1923 4 sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS F.' KLEIN ATENSION MECHANISM FOR BRAIDING MACHINES Filed Aug. 50.1923 4 sheets-sheet 2 mvEwroRl ATTORNEYS Oct. 21 ,A 1924.

F. KLElN TENSION MECHANISM FOR BRAIDING MACHINES Filed Aug. 50 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 A A lN-VENToR Fredermw BY M ATTORNEYS Oct. 21 519211. 1 1,512,605

F. KLEIN TENSION MECHANISM FOR-BRAIDING MACHINES Filed Aug. 30. 1923 -4 Sheets-Sheet 4 8 INVENTOR Meki-Em Mgr/ M ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 21, 1924.

UNITED STATES 1,512,605 PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK KLEIN, OF COLLEGE POINT, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR. TO.NATIONAL INDI- oAToIt COMPANY, or LONG YORK- ISLAND CITY, NEW YORK, CORPORATION or NEW TENSION MECHANISM FOR BRAIDING- MCHINS.

Application inea August 30, 1923. serial No. 660,144.

T all whom t concer/(1..'

Be it known that I, FREDERICK KLEIN, a citizen of the United States, and Aresident of College Point, inthe borough ofQueens, city,

6 county, and vState of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tension Mechanisms for Braiding Machines, of ,which thev following is a specification.` i

This invention relates toa yarn or thread tension mechanism for that type of braiding machine in which two oppositely rotating tables or turrets are provided, each turret or table carrying` a series of spools or bobbins, the threads from all of said spools converging at abraiding point above the machine and means being provided whereby the threads from one series of bobbins will be interlaced with the threads from the other series of bobbins. The purpose of machines of this type is to produce a tubular braided fabric with or without a core.

The purpose of this invention is kto provide a sensitive and positive yarn control particularly adapted for 4use on high-speed braiding machines.-

One of the main objects of the invention is to provide means whereby the tension member `is in direct contact with .the yarn, without levers or other transmission elcments interposed between the yarn and` the tension member.

Another object of the invention is to so Y control the yarn supply as it is being used during the operation of braiding that the release, or the locking, of the yarn supply will not materially affect the predetermined tension on the yarn. This is of special iinportance when operating at low tensions as the action must be smooth and uniform, yet positive.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple and eiicient means by which any required tension may be obtained, and to provide means cooperating with the tension member to cause the machine to stop when the desired tension is suddenly and materially changed; when the yarn breaks, or when the yarn supply becomes exhausted.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tension mechanism within a minimum of space and wherein the parts will be easily accessible.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a lvertical sectional view of a portion of a braiding machine .with the invention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 a plan viewfof a portion of .the machine shown in Fig. l; l

Fig. 3 a perspective view of one of the outer bobbin carriers with `the tension mechanism applied thereto;

Fig. 4 a detail sectional view of the tension spring and its adjusting means;

Fig. 5 a vertical sectional view'of a bobbin carrier and the tension mechanism;

Fig. .6 .a horizontal sectional view taken ou the line ,6 6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 a detail plan Viewv of the tension spring and the escapement lock;

Fig. 8 a perspective view of the parts shown in Fig. 7; n

Fig. 9 a perspective vvieiv of the `clutch operating devices;

Fig. 10 a vertical sectional view' similar to Fig. 5, showing the clutch operating means released by the breaking of a thread;

Fig. 11 a detail plan kview showing the operation of the escapement lock when the control lever is 4released by the breakingfof a thread;

Fig. 12 a horizontal sectional viewtaken on the line l2-12 of Fig. l0;

Fig. 13 a perspective view showing the clutch releasing means in the position illustrated in Figs. 10 and 12;

Fig. 14 a .verticalfsectional viewl siniliar to Fig. `5, vshowing the clutch Vreleasing means operated by an excessive tension on `the thread; Y

Fig. 15 a plan view of the tension spring, escap'ement lock and the control lever inthe position shown in Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 a horizontal sectional view taken onthe line 164-16of Fig. 14; and

Fig. 17 a perspective view of the Vcontrol lever and the clutch releasing means in the positionshown in Figs. 14 and 161 The invention is shown asv applied to a braiding machine of the type .illustrated in Patent No. 1,493,782, issu-ed May 13, 1923.

Referring to the various parts by numerals, 2 designates an upward extending tubular post` which is rigidly mounted at its lower end in the base o-f the machine. A horizontal drive shaft 3' is also mounted in the. base of the machine, andthisshaft' car- .ries .a pulley 4 at its onterend adaptedto be engaged bya suitable clutch 5, to con nect. the said pulley to the drive shaft. A

ugo

, and 2 of the drawings.

beveled driving pinion 6 is mounted on the -inner end of the drive shaft, said pinion 6 engaging two beveled gears 7 and 8 and by means of which the bobbin-carrying turrets ,are rotated in opposite directions, as will be fully hereinafter described.

Rotatably mounted upon the post 2 is an imier driving sleeve 9 to the lower end of which the beveled gear 8 is rigidly secured. Mounted on the sleeve 9 is an outer drive sleeve 10` which carries near its lower end the beveled gear 7. It is manifest from this 'construction that the driving sleeves 9 and 10 will be rotated in opposite directions,'the drive pinion 6 being arranged between'said beveled gears. The driving pinion 6 and the'beveled gears 7 and S are preferably located within theV base of the machine for safety and for convenience of oiling.

Rigidly securedY to the outer driving Sleeve, ata suitable point above the base, is an outwardly and downwardly flaring circular turret plate 11. To the outer margin of this'turret plate is secured a series of upwardly extending arched bobbin supports 12, the lower ends of the two arms of these supports being substantially coincident with the lower margin of the circular turret plate 11. These supports 12 are spaced equal distances apart around the turret. To the lower ends of the outer members of these arched supporting plates are secured carriers -13 which support the outer bobbins or thread carriers 14C. These outer bobbins areI supported on horizontal spindles 15 mounted in suitable bearings in the carriers 13. The carriers 13 are connected together around the machine by brace bars 16.

AThe inner driving sleeve 9 vcarries on its upper end a spider frame 17 formed with radial arms 18 which extend outwardly and downwardly, as shown clearly in Figs. 1 A The lower outer, end of each of these spider arms is tubular and `forms a bearing 'for a short radially arranged shaft 19, said shaft extending outwardly and downwardly. To the upper end of each of said shafts19 is secured a beveled pinion 20. vRigidly secured to the upper end of the outer driving sleeve, just under Athe spider 17,is a crown gear 21 which meshes with all of the pinions 20. Rigidly secured to the outer lower end of Veach shaft 19 is a carrier-supporting disk 22, each of said supporting disks being formed around its margin with an outwardly turned annular flange 23. Each of said supporting 'disks-is formed with thread-receiving-and-carrying notches 24.

The bobbins 25 of the inner series are eachvmounted in a carrier frame consisting of an upper carrier head 26; two outwardly #n.11 dewnwa l diverejing side bars 27 connected to said head,V and a large outer shuttle plate 28 rigidly connected to the tle plate 28 is substantialll form wit-h its longer aXis iorizontal and its end pointed. The side bars 27 are. connected to the shuttle plate 28 near the ends of said plate. The carrier heads 2G are also substantially elliptical in form with their longer axis substantially horizontal, and the side bars 27 are connected to said heads near their ends. Each carrier head 26 is arranged between two adjoining supporting disks 22 and is adapted to ybe engaged with and supported by said disks.

The construction and operation of the mechanism hereinbefore described are fully illustrated and described in the aforesaid patent and need not be. more fully described herein.

Each carrier 13 consists of a hollow body part 29 provided at its inner end with a grooved bracket 30 to receive the outer member oi one of the supports 12, a screw 31 securing the two parts together. The body part 29 is open at its outer end and said end is closed by a cover 32, screws 33 securing said cover in place. Extending substantially vertically across the outer open end ot the body 29 is a control lever 34, said lever being held in place by the cover. In the upper and lower edges of the cover are formed slots to hold the lever in place and to form bearings in which said lever rocks. The lower slot is elongated to permit the, lever to have a bodily outward movement at. its lower end, as will be hereinafter described.

rlhe control lever is formed near its upper and lower ends with bearing portions 35 and 36, bearing portion 35 rotating in a recess 37 in the upper wall ot the cover and portion 36 rotating in a slot 3S in the lower wall of the cover. Above the cover the control lever is bent laterally to :torni a tension arm 39, the end oi? said arm being formed with a substantially vertical loop or bail 39a to receive the iree end of the tension spring. The lower end oi' the control lever, below the cover, is bent laterally to form a stop 40, said stop and the tension arm serving as means to prevent undue endwise or axial inoveinent of the lever in its bearings. lllithin the body oi the carrier 13 the control lever formed with an escapenient operating arm 41, said arm being in the form of a craul; and located near the upper wall of the cover. Below the escapen'ient operating arm. and within the carrier 13, the control lever is formed with a clutch operating arm 12. This clutch op erating` arm is in the torni ot a crank which extends in a direction opposite to the escffip-einent operating arin 4l. The control lever is free to oscillate in both directions and when moving in one direction it operates the escapement controlling devices and when moving in the opposite direction it operates the clutch releasing mechanism, both of these movements being under the control ofthe yarn and the tension spring which is connected to the tension arm, all 0f which will be more fully hereinafter described.

One end of each of the spindles 15 is provided with a rigidly connected esca vement. wheel 43. The end of the spindle adjacent the escapement wheel is adapted to enter a bearing slot 44 formed in the adjacent side wall of the body part 29 ot the carrier, said bearing slot opening on its lower side into a substantially horizontal slot 45 Vloi-med in the carrier body. Mounted in the slot 45 is a beveled head 46 which is adapted to close the lower side of the bearing slot 44 and lock the spindle end in its bearing. The head 46 is mounted on a spring-pressed pin 47 which is provided with a push button 48, and the outer side of said head is beveled as shown clearly in Figs. 3 and 16. The spring-pressed pin 47 is mounted in the cover 32 and said pin and the head 46 are removable with said cover. On the opposite side of the carrier from the bearingI slot 44 is formed a bearing 49 to receive one endl of one of the spindles 15. As shown in Fig. 2 the spindles 15 bridge the space between adjoining carriers 13. To place a spindle in position one end thereof is inserted in the bearing 49 of one carrier ant the opposite end thereof, the end carrying the escapement wheel 43, is passed into the slot 45 and pressed against the beveled outer surface of lthe head 46. The head 46 is forced inwardly until the spindle snaps up into the slot 44. The head will then be forced outwardly by its spring and thereby lock the spindle in position. To remove a spindle it is only necessary to force the head 46 inwardly by pressure upon the push button 48 to thereby tree the spindle and allow it to drop down into the slot 45. The treed end of the spindle may be then 'drawn torwardly out of the slot 46, thereby freeing the opposite end of the spindle trom its bearing 49.

A double cscapement dog 50 is loosely mounted on a bearing 51 secured to the side of the body 29 of the carrier and is adapted to engage the teeth of the escapement wheel, as shown clearly in Fig. 8. @ne end of the escapement dog is extended upwardly to form a locking member 52, said member being provided on its outer face with line horizontal teeth or serrations 53. As the escapement dog is rocked on its bearing its Aends will alternately engage the teeth'ot the escapement wheel in the usual way and Coiled about this post is a tension sprmg 55 similar to a clock spring and having its inner end rigidly secured to a rotatable sleeve 56 mounted on said post. The sleeve 56 is provided with a thumb nut- 57 by which it may be turned for the purpose of varying the tension ot the spring. The. upper surface of the nut 57 is radially serrated and rigidly connected to the post is a lock spring 58 adapted to fit in said serrations and to lock the thumb 'nut and the sleeve in their adjusted positions. The outer free end of the spring 55 is carried through the loop 39EL formed on the outer lfree end ot the tension arm 39. To the end of the spring, beyond the loop 39a, is secured a hook 59 adapted to be engaged bythe yarn, as will be hereinafter described.

lVithin the carrier 13 is arranged an escapeinent locking lever 60, said lever being in substantially the same horizontal plane with the locking member 52 of the escapement dog and the escapement operating arm 41 of the control lever. The lever 6() is formed with bearing lugs 61 which fit in recesses formed in the inner margin oit the cover portion 32, the cover serving as means for securing the lever in position. rFhe inner end or' the lever 60 is adapted to be engaged by the escapement operating arm 41. The outer end of this lever extends beyond the carrier 13 and is provided with a serrated face 62 adapted to engage with the` serrated locking face 52 of the escapement dog. A light spring 63, mounted within the cover portion of the carrier and bearing at its free end on the outer end of the lever 60, tends to swing said lever into position to interlock its serrated face with the locking member 52. Vhen the yarn is threaded through the hook 59 and the proper tension is placed thereon the control lever will be rocked, as indicated in Fig. 7, and the escapement operating arm 41 will engage the inner end of the locking lever 60 and swing it sufficiently to release the locking member 52, as indicated clearly in Figs. 7 and 8. Vhen, however, the tension on the yarn is reduced below the predetermined point iixed by the tension spring, the control lever will be rocked in the opposite direction by theV tension spring, thereby withdrawing the escapement operating arm 41 from the lever 60 and allowing the spring 63 to force said lever into locking engagement with the locking member 52 of the escapement dog. This will lock the escapement wheel and prevent the unwinding of the yarn from the spindle 15. This operation of locking the escapement dog will take place whenever there is undue slack in the yarn and whenever the yarn breaks.

A clutch releasing lever 64 is pivotally mounted on a horizontal pivot in the lower end of the carrier body. The outwardly extending portion ot said lever is enlarged vertically and to said enlarge-d. part is rigidly connected a weight G6, said weight tending to depress the outer end ot the lever and to raise the inner end thereof. To the inner end of the lever 64 is swiveled a pin 67, said pin being adapted to be projected downwardly into the path of a clutch lock 68, shown in Fig. l and indicated by dotted lines in Fig. l0. The lever 64, at its outer end, beyond the weighted portion, is formed with an upwardly.extending locking finger 69. Pivotally mounted within the carrier, on the bottom wall orP the cover, is a clutch lever lock 70. rllhis lever is formed with a U-shape, substantially horizontal locking linger 7l, one member of which is adapted to engage the upper edge ot the locking linger ant` thereby hold the outer end of the clutch releasing lever 64 depressed, as indicated in Figs. 5 and t". This results in holding the pin 67 elevated and out of the path volf the clutch loclr 68. The outer member of the U-shape locking linger 71 lies in. the path ot' the clutch operating arm 42 of the control lever, as shown clearly in Figs. 5, 9 and 13. The lower bearing portion 36 of the control lever passes through the clutch lever lock 7 t), as shown clearly in Figs. 5, 9 and 13. When the yarn is slack, and when it breaks, the control lever will be rocked by the spring and the arm 42 will be swung inwardly into engagement with theouter member of the U- shape locking linger 7l and the clutch locking lever 70 will be swung inwardly on its pivot. The lower end ot the control lever is pivoted in the lever lock 70 and will be swung inwardly as said lever moves on its pivot, the slot- 38 permitting the inward bodily movement of the lower end ot the control lever. The inward swinging movement of the clutch lever lock will move the inner member of the linger 7l away from and out of contact with the finger 69 of the clutch releasing lever 64. Because of the weight 66 the out-erelid of the lever 64 will swing upwardly due to the centrifugal force of the revolving carriers. As the weighted outer end of said lever swings upwardly, the

i pin 67 will be moved downwardly into the path of the clutch lock 68 and said clutch lock will be released, as will be more fully hereinafter described. Y

It for any reason the tension on the yarn becomes excessive the spring will be pulled inwardly toi `an abnormal position, thereby rocking the control lever and bring ing the arm 52 outwardly against a. rigid stop 7 2 on the inner side of the cover. The continued rotation of the control lever will force its lower end inwardly, the slot 38 permitting this camming action. The movement ot' the lower end of the control lever will swing the clutch lever lock 70 inwardly on its pivot and thereby cause the inner member oit the finger 7l to be removed from the stop linger G9. This will release the lever 64 so that the centrifugal action of the rotating carriers will thrust the pin 67 into the path o't the clutch loch (38. lt is clear, therefore, that the clutrh releasing lever 64 will be treed from the elutrh lever lock whenever the slack in the yarn becomes too great; whenever the yarn ln'eaks. and whenever there is excessive tension on the yarn. The control lever operates to release the clutch lever lock by rotation in either direction, the exfessive yarn tension rotating it in one direction and exf'essive yarn slack or breakage permittinrr it to be rotated in the opposite direction by the tension spring.

lVhenever the control lever is rotated through excessive tension on the yarn the esrapen'ient oi'ierating` arm 4l will engage the escapement locking lever (it), but this is merely incidental because the yarn is already under an excess tension and it is immaterial whether the spindle is locked. llhen, however, the clutch lever lock is op erated by reason of slack in the yarn or the breakage of the yarn, the escapenient locking lever G0 will be released trom the arm 4l and will swing into engagement with the escapement locking dog and theie by lock the spindle.

rlhe yarn .trom the spindle l5 is carried over `a rigid `bow 73 mounted on the adjacent bar 1G. From the bow the yarn is carried upwardly through a guide eye 74- and then over the hook 59 ou the end ol' the tension spring 55. From the hook 5S) the yarn passes to the braiding point and is guided over and under the shuttle plates 28 of the inner series of bobbins by means of stationary thread guides 75 and 7G carried by a rigid annular member 77 mounted in the machine frame. The operation of these thread guides and the passage of' the yarn from the outer carrier-s over and under the inner series of carriers are l'nlly de.- scribed in my hereinbetore mentioned application for patent.

The elnteh lock 68 is pivoted on the supiport 77 and is provided with a lockingr arm 7 S which extends into ther path ol a pivoted loi-king dog` 7 9 which is pivoted in the machine frame. The locking dog 79 is plv-- otally connected to a cluteh operatinfr rod 80, said rod being normally torred inwardly by a spring 8l. lilith the locking dog in engagement with the arm 78 as shown in F ig. l, the clutch members are held locked in engagement. lVhen the clutch lock G8 is swung on its pivot through the operation of one of the pins G7 the dog 79 is released and the spring 81 forces the rod S0 inwardly and disconnects the members of the clutch.

When the device is in operation spring is subjected to high-frequency oscilla tions as the yarn alternately passes under and over the oppositely rotating carriers. This oscillating movement is followed by control lever 34said lever being free and unobstructed during the cycle ot movements. As. the yarn is drawn throughthe device the tension on spring 55 is increased, its yarn engaging end is drawn inwardly and its field of spring action is brought nearer to the braiding point, causing control lever 34 to intermittently strike against escapement lock With increasing torce until finally the teeth of said escapement lock disengage from those of escapement pavvl 50, allowing the latter to move, thereby permitting escapement Wheel 4:3 to turn and thus yield an additionalsupply of yarn. T his additional yarn supply havinglbeen obtained, the resulting relaxation in thread tension permits the yarn engaging hook to move outwardly under the influence of the spring 55 and the oscillating eld of spring tol retreat to a point Where escapement vlock 60 aga-in engages With the escapement pawl, the other end ot.' the paivl engaging with the escapement Wheel, thereby preventing further movement of the escapement wheel and stopping the flow ot yarn supply. This cycle of movements, With the alternate yielding and ,stopping of yarn supply, is

. continuous so long as thread is being drawn through the device. Y

Although control lever 34 movesvwith the oscillations ofi spring 55 the Work itI has to do is much less than that which the spring is called upon to perform. Made from suitable material this contro-l lever should last indefinitely. Escape-ment lock 6() is' made very light in Weight, is never subjected to severe strains and has very little inertia to overcome, Alfter the yarn pull has treed the escapement pawl, shouldthe lock tail to promptly and securely reengage with the paivl, the pawl Willinevertheless impede the further rotation of the escapement Wheel, thus preventing a sudden and excessive llow ot yarn suoli as would cause the machine to stop.

At all times Whether the machine is running or at rest, the yarn is constantly and directly held under tension by spiral spring 55y which is made of flat spring steel and is similar to the usual clock spring. The use ot a spring of this k-ind in a thread tension device has several important advantages. The spring is tree trom frictional Contact With any other part, tree from any Wear and tear Whatever, and functions in the air. The strongesttensions possible to use in braiding operations and the extent ot the oscillating .tield Within which the spring is permitted to move involve strains and mov'eirejtlits which are Well Withinv the elastic limits of the spring'. Such a spring is intensely active yet uniform in action, providing an even tension Which reduces the number ot accidental yarn breakages and enables the machine to produce a smooth, more even and uniform, and also a stronger article ol" commerce. Once set and adjusted to any desired tension suc-h a spring is more uniform in action, more constant and dependable than any other kind of device nov7 being used. Also a spring of this kind requires no lubrication.

This device delivers the yarn both positively and constantly, with an `even and gentle flow, under aV predetermined tension which is maintained with unequaled uniformity; yet, it for any reason the cycle ot operations hereinbefore described is interrupted, or it the tension on a thread becomes much changed, the device Will insta-ntly Jfunction in such manner as to surely bring the machine to a quick stop. The device constitutes a mechanical unit which is simple in design and easy to assemble; it functions reliably and freely, and the slight Wear-.and strains resulting from its operation are distributed among its coordinated parts inv such Way that all of the parts will endure tor a long` period of service.

What I cla-im is:

l. i tension mechanism for braiding machines comprising a rotatable support, a carrier mounted thereon, a spindle rotatably mounted o-n the carrier and providedvvith an escapement Wheel, a double escapement paivl mounted on the carrier and adapted to engage the escapement Wheel and Jformed with a locking member, a control lever mounted in the carrier and adapted to rock back and forth in opposite directions, a tension spring mounted on the carrier and connected to the control lever and tending to move said control lever in one direction. yarn engaging device carried by the said spring the yarn tension tending to move the control lever in opposition to the spring tension, an escapen'ient locking lever mounted in the carrier and yieldingly engaging the locking member oit the escapement paWl and. adapted to be engaged by the control lever to release the escapement' pawl when said control lever is moved by yarn tension, a clutch releasing lever mounted on the carrier, a. clutch lever lock mounted on the carrier and adapted to hold the clutch releasing lever in inoperative position, and

a clutcli operating arm formed on the control lever and adapted to operate the clutch lever lock to release the clutch' releasing lever when the control lever is rocked in either direction.

tension mechanism tor braiding ma'.A chines comprising a rotatable support a carrie-r mounted thereon, a spindle rotatably mounted on the carrier and provided With an'escapement Wheel, a double escapement pavvl mounted on the carrier and adapted to engage the escapement` Wheel and termed with a locking member, a control lever mounted in the carrier and adapted to rock back and forth Vin opposite directions, a tension spring mounted on the carrier and connected to the control lever and tending to move said control lever in one direction, a yarn engaging device carried by the said spring they yarn tension tending to -move the control lever in opposition to the spring tension, and an escapementlocking lever mounted in the carrier-and yieldingly engaging the locking member of the escapement paivl and adapted to be engaged by the control lever to release the escapement pawl when said control lever is moved by yarn tension.

3. A tension mechanism for braiding machines comprising a rotatable sirpport, a carrier mounted thereon, a spindle rotatably 4mounted on the carrier and provided with an escapement Wheel, a double escapement pawl rmounted on the carrier and adapted to en gage the escapement Wheel and formed with locking member,y a control lever mounted in the carrier and adapted to rock back and forth in opposite directions, a tension spring mounted on Vthe carrier and connected to the control lever and Ytending to move saidconltrol lever in one direction, a yarn engaging device carried by the said spring the yarn tension tending to move the control lever in opposition to the spring tension, an escapement locking lever mounted in the carrier and yieldingly engaging the locking member ot the escapement pawl and adapted to be engaged by the contro-l lever to release the escapement pavvl when said control lever is moved by yarn tension, a clutch releasing lever mounted on the carrier, a clutch lever lock mounted on the carrier and adapted to hold theV clutch releasing lever in inoperative position, and aV clutch operating arm formed on the control lever and adapted toopera-te the clutch lever lock to release the clutch releasing lever when the control lever is rocked by eXcess yarn tension.

4. A tension mechanism for braiding machines comprising a rotatable support, a carrier mounted thereon, a. spindle rotatably mounted on the carrier and provided with an escapement Wheel, a double escapement paWl mounted on the carrier and adapted to engage the escapement Wheel and formed with a locking member, a control lever mounted in the carrier and adapted to roclr back and forth in opposite directions, a tension spring mounted on the carrier and connected to the control lever and tending to move said control lever in one direction, a, yarn engaging device operatively connected to the control lever whereby the yarn tension tends to move the control lever inK opposition to the spring tension, an escapement locking lever mounted in the carrier and yieldingly engaging the locking lnember of the escapement paw] and adapted to be engaged by the control lever to release the escapement paivl when said control lever is moved by yarn tension, a clutch releasing lever mounted on the carrier, a clutch level' lock mounted on the carrier and adapted to hold the clutch releasing lever in inoperative position, and a clutch operating arm formed on the control lever and adapted to operate the clutch lever lock to release the clutch releasing lever ivhen the control lever is rocked by the tension spring when said spring is relieved of yarn tension.

5. A tension mechanism for braiding maehines comprising a rotatable support, a carrier mounted thereon, a spindle rotatably mounted on the carrier, a control lever, mounted in the carrier and adapted to rock back and forth in opposite directions, a tension spring mounted on the carrier and connected to the control lever and tending to move said control lever in one direction, a yarn engaging device operatively connected to the control lever whereby the yarn tension tends to move the control lever in opposition to the spring tension, a clutch releasing lever mounted on the carrier, a clutch lever lock .mounted on the carrier and adapted to hold the clutch releasing lever in 1noperative position, and a clutch operating arm formed on the control lever and adapted to operate the clutch lever lock to release the clutch releasing lever when the control lever is rocked in either direction.

6. A tension mechanism tor braiding machines comprising a rotatable support, a carrier mounted thereon. a spindle rotatably mounted on the carrier, a control lever n'lounted in the carrier and adapted to rock back and forth in opposite directions, a tension spring mounted on the carrier and con nected to the control lever and tending to move said control lever in one direction` a yarn engaging device operatively connected to the control lever whereby the yarn tension tends to move the control lever in opposition'to the spring tension, a. clutch. releasing lever mounted on the carrier, a clutch lever loch mounted on the carrier and adapted to hold the clutch releasing lever in inoperative position, and a clutch operating` arm formed on the control lever and adapted to operate the clutch lever lock to release the clutch releasing lever when the control lever is rocked by excess yarn tension.

7. A tension mechanism for braidingr machines comprising a rotatable support. ay carrier mounted thereon, a spindle rotatably mounted on the carrier, a control lever mounted in the carrier and adapted to rock back and forth in opposite directions, a tensionV spring mounted on the carrier' and connected to the control lever and tending to move said control lever in one direction, a yarn engaging device operatively connected to the control lever whereby the yarn tension tends to move the control lever in opposition to the spring tension, a clutch releasing lever mounted on the carrier, a. clutch lever lock mounted on the carrier and adapted to hold the clutch releasing lever in inoperative position, and a clutch operating arm formed on the control lever and adapted to operate the clutch lever lock to release the clutch releasing lever when the control lever isi rocked by the tension spring when said spring is relieved of yarn tension S. A tension mechanism tor braiding machines comprising a rotatable support, a carrier mounted thereon, ya spindle rotatably mounted on the carrier, a control lever mounted in the carrier and adapted to rock back and forth in opposite directions, a tension spring mounted on the carrier and connected to the control lever and tending to move said control lever in one direction, a. yarn engaging device operatively connected to the control lever whereby the yarn tension tends tomove the control lever in opposition to the spring tension, a clutch releasing lever pivotally mounted on the carrier on a horizontal pivot vand extending outwardly troni said pivot, the outer end of said llever being weighted andV adapted to be thrown upwardly by the centrifugal torce of the rotating carrier support, a clutch lever lock4 mounted on 'the carrier and adapted to hold the outer end ot the releasing lever in inoperative depressed position, and a clutch operating arm termed on the controllever and adapted to operate the clutch lever lock to release the clutch releasing lever when the control lever is rocked in either direction, ,vliereby when the clutch releasing lever is released its outer end will be thrown upwardly to operative position by the centrifugal. torce due to the speed ot the rotating' carrier support.

9. A tension.mechanism for braiding machines comprising a rotatable support, a. cai rier mounted thereon, a spindle rotatably mounted on the carrier, a control lever mounted in the carrier and adapted to rock back and forth in opposite directions, a tension spring mounted on the carrier and connected to the control lever and. tending to move said control lever in one "direction, a yarn engaging device operatively connected 'to the control lever whereby the 'yarn tension tends to move the control lever in vopposition to the spring tension, a clutch releasing lever pivotally mounted on the carrier on a horizontal pivot and extendingoutwardly from said pivot, the outer end ot said lever being weighted and adapted to be thrown Vupwa-rdly by the centrifugal torce of the rotating carrier support, a clutch lever lock mounted on the carrier and adapted to hold the outer end oit the releasing lever in inoperative depressed position, and a clutch operating arm formed on the control lever and adapted to operate the clutch lever lock to release the clutch releasing lever when the control lever is rocked by excess yarn tension.

l0. A tension mechanism tor braiding machines comprising a rotatable support, a carrier mounted thereon, a spindle rotatably n'iounted on the carrier, a. control lever mounted in the carrier and adapted to rock back and forth in opposite directions, a tension spring mounted on the carrier and connected to the control lever and tending to m said control level' in one direction, a yarn engaging device operatively connected to the control lever whereby the yarn tensiontends to move the control lever in op* position to the spring tension, a clutch releasing lever pivotally mounted on the carrier on a horizontal pivot and extending outwardly from said pivot, the outer end ot said lever being weighted and adapted to be thrown upwardly by the centrifugal 'torce ot the rotating carrier support, a clutch lever lock mounted on the carrier and adapted to hold the outer end ot the releasing lever in .inoperative depressed position, and a clutch operating arm formed on the control lever and adapted to operate the clutch lever lock to release the clutch releasing lever when the control lever is rocked by the tension spring when said spring 4is relieved of yarn tension.

'11. fr tension mechanism for braiding machines comprising a rotatable support, a carrier mounted thereon, a spindle rotatablymounted on the carrier and provided with an escape-ment wheel, an escapement pawl mounted on the carrier and adapted to engage the escapen'ient wheel, a control lever mounted `on the carrier and adapted' to move back and forth in opposite directions trom its normal position, a tension spring` mounted on the carrier and connected to the conw trol lever and tending to move said lever in one direction, a yarn engaging device operatively connected to the control lever whereby the yarn tension tends to move the control l.ve' in opposition to the tension spring, and an escapement locking lever mounted in the carrier and normally yieldingly engagingV the said pawl and adapted to be engaged by the control lever to release said pawl when the control lever is moved by yarn tension. y

12. A tension mechanism for braiding ma- Vchines comprising a rotatable support, a

yarn spindle rotatably mounted and carried by said support, a control lever, a tension spring connected to said lever, a yarn engaging device operatively connected to the control lever whereby the' yarn tension tends to move the control lever in opposition to the spring tension, clutch releasing mechanism, and means whereby the control lever will operate said clutch releasing mechanism when the control lever is rocked in one direc- `tion by excess yarn tension and in the other position to the spring tension, and spindleV locking means adapted to be operated by the control lever to release the spindle wher.l said lever is moved by yarn tension, said spindle locking means operating to lock the spindle when the control lever is moved by the tension spring.

' 14. A tensionmechanism for braiding machines comprising a rotatable support, a yarn spindle rotatably mounted and carried by said support, a control lever, a tension spring arranged in a spiral coil and having yits inner end rigidly secured, its outer end extending freely outwardly and carrying a yarn engaging device near its outer end, said outer end being connected to the control lever whereby the yarn tension will tend to movethe control lever in opposition-to the spring tension, clutch releasing mechanism, and means whereby the control lever will operate said clutch releasing meche anism when the control lever is rocked in one direction by excess yarn tension and in the other direction by the tension spring when said spring is relieved of yarn tension.

15. A tension mechanism for braiding machines comprising a rotatable support. a carrier mounted thereon, a spindle rotatably mounted on the carrier, a control lever mounted in the carrier and adapted to rock back and forth in opposite directions, a tension spring mounted on the carrier and connected to the control lever and tending to move said control lever in one direction, a yarn engaging device operatively connected to the control lever whereby the yarn tension tends to move the control lever in opposition to the spring tension, a clutch releasing mechanisml mounted'on the carrier and adapted to be moved into operative position by the centrifuga-l force of the rotating carrier support, Va movable lock mounted on the carrier and radapted to hold the clutch releasing mechanism in inoperative position, and means whereby the control lever will operate the lock to free the clutch releasing mechanism when the control lever is rocked by excess yarn tension.

16. A tension mechanism ior braiding machines comprising a rotatable support, a carrier mounted thereon, a spindle rotatably mounted on the carrier, a control lever mounted in the carrier and adapted to rock back and forth in opposite directions, a tension spring mounted on the carrier and connected to the control lever and tending to move said control lever in one direction, a yarn engaging device operatively connected to the control lever whereby the yarn tension tends to move the control lever in opposition to the spring tension, a clutch releasing mechanism mounted on the carrier and adapted to be moved into operative position by the centrifugal force of the ro tating carrier support, a movable lock mount ed on the carrier and adapted to hold the clutch releasing mechanism in inoperative position, and means whereby the control lever will operate the lock to free the clutch releasing mechanism when the control lever is rocked by the tension spring when said spring is relieved of yarn tension.

17. A tension mechanism for braiding machines comprising a rotatable support, a yarn spindle rotatably mounted and carried by said support, a control lever, a tension spring connected to said lever, a yarn engaging device operatively connected to the control lever whereby the yarn tension tends to move the control lever in opposition to the spring tension, a. clutch releasing mechanism carried by and rotating with the said sup port and adapted to be moved into operative position by the centrifugal force of the rota-ting support, a movable lock adapted to hold the clutch releasing mechanism in inoperative position, and means whereby the control lever will operate the lock to free the clutch releasing mechanism when. the control lever is rocked by recess yarn tension.

18. A tension mechanism for braiding machines comprising a rotatable support. a yarn spindle rotatably mounted and carried by said support` a control lever, a tension spring connected to said lever` a yarn engaging device operatively connected to the control lever whereby the yarn tension tends to move the control lever in opposition to the spring tension. a clutch releasing mechanism carried by and rotating with the said support and adapted to be moved into operative position by the centrifugal force of the rotating support, a movable lock adapted to hold the clutch releasing mechanism in inoperative position, and means whereby the control lever will operate the lock to free the clutch releasing mechanism when the control lever is rocked by the tension spring when said spring is relieved of yarn tension 19. A tension mechanism for braiding machines comprising a rotatable support, a carrier mounted thereon, a spindle rotatably mounted on the carrier, a control lever' mounted in the carrier and adapted to rock back and `forth in opposite directions, a tension spring mounted on the carrier and connected to the control lever and tending to move said control lever in one direction, a yarn engaging device carried by said spring, the yarn tension tending to mov-e the control lever in opposition to the spring tension,l a clutch releasing lever pivotally mounted on the carrier on a horizontal pivot and eXtend ing outwardly from said pivot, the outer end of said lever being weighted and adapted to be thrown upwardly by th-e centrifugal force of the rotating carrier support, a pin carried by the inner end of said clutch releasing lever, means adapted to be operated by said pin tostop the rotatable support, a clutch ever lock mounted on the carrier and adapted to hold the outer end of the releasing lever in inoperative depressed position, and a clutch operating arm formed on the control lever and adapted to operate the clutch lever lock to release the clutch releasing lever when the control lever is rocked by excess yarn tension.

20. A tension mechanism for braiding machines comprising a rotatable support, a carrier mounted thereon, a spindle rotatably mounted on the carrier, a control lever mounted in the carrier and adapted to be rocked back and forth in opposite directions, said control lever being 'formed with an escapement operating arm a clutch operating arm and a tension arm, a tension spring mounted on th-e carrier and loosely engaging the tension arm of the control lever and tending to move said control lever in one direction, a yarn engaging device carried by said spring, the yarn tension tending to move the control lever in opposition to the spring tension, an escapement locking lever mounted in the carrier and normally locking the spindle and adapted to be engaged by the escapement operating arm of the control lever to release the spindle when said control lever is moved by yarn tension, a clutch releasing lever mounted in the carrier, and a clutch lever lock mounted in the carrier and nor: mally holding Ithe clutch releasing lever in inoperative position and adapted to be engaged by the clutch operating arm of the control lever to release the clutch releasing lever when the control lever is rocked in either direction.

2l. A tension mechanism for braiding machines comprising a rotatable support, a spindle carried by said support, a control lever rockably supported adjacent the spindle, a tension spring connected to said control lever and tending to move it in one direction, a yarn engaging device operatively connected to the control lever whereby the yarn tension will tend to move the control k support, a control lever roclrably supported adjacent the spindle, a tension spring connected to said control lever andtending toV move it in one direction, a yarn engaging device operatively connected to the control lever whereby the yarn tension will tend to move the control lever in opposition to the tension spring, a spindle escapement mechanism adapted to be released by the movement o1 the control leve-r in one direction, and a mechanism'to cause the driving power to be cut oliil from the rotatable support when the said control lever is rocked in either direction.

28. A tension mechanism tor braiding machines comprising a rotatable power driven support, means carried by the rotatable support adapted to be operated by centrifugal force to cut ofi' the driving power from the rotatable support, and means controlled by the yarn tension to hold the said power cutott means inoperative during normal yarn tension and to render it operative upon a predetermined variation in yarn tension.

24. A tension mechanism for braiding machines comprising a power driven rotatable support, a yarn spindle carried by said support, means carried by the rotatable support adapted to be operated by centrifugal torce to cut off the driving power from the rotatable support, and means controlled by the yarn tension to hold the said power cutol' means inoperative during normal yarn tension and to render it operative upon a predetermined increase or decrease in yarn tension.

25. A tension mechanism for braiding machines comprising a rotatable power driven support, a yarn spindle, ayarn tension controlled spindle escapement, means carried by the rotatable support adapted to be op erated by centrifugal force to cut off the driving power from the rotatable support, and means cont-rolled by the yarn tension to hold the said power cut-off means inoperative during normal yarn tension and to render it operative upon a predetermined increase or decrease in yarn tension.

26. A tension mechanism for braiding machines comprising a rotatable support, a carrier mounted thereon, a spindle rotatable mounted on the carrier, a clutch releasing lever pivotally mounted on the carrier on a horizontal pivot and extending outwardly from said pivot, the outer end of said lever being weighted and adapted to be thrown Y upwardly by the centrifugal force of the operative depressed position during normal yarn tension, and means controlled by yarn tensionk to operate the clutch lever lock to release the clutch releasing lever upon a predetermined variation in yarn tension, whereby the outer end of the clutch releasing lever will be thrown upwardly to operative position by the centrifugal force due to the speed of the rotating carrier support.

27. A tension mechanism for braiding` machines comprising a rotatable support, a carrier mounted thereon, a spindle rotatably mounted on the carrier, a control device movably mounted on the carrier, a tension spring mounted on the carrier and connected to the control device and tending to move said control device in one direction, a yarn engaging device operatively connected to the control device whereby the yarn tension will tend to move the control device in opposition to the tension spring, a clutch releasing lever mounted on the carrier, and a clutch lever lock mounted on the carrier and adapted to hold the clutch releasing lever in inopera tive posit-ion7 the said control device being adapted to move said clutch lever lock to release the clutch releasing lever upon :in iiicrease in yarn tension above a predetermined maximum degree or a decrease in yarn tension below a predetermined minimum degree.

In testimony whereof I hereunto alix my signature.

FREDERICK KLEIN. 

